Jump to content

Henry Blofeld: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
dashes and zeros
→Education: No need to use cricket puns in an encyclopaedia.
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|English sports journalist}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox cricketer
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Henry Blofeld<br><small>[[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]</small>
| name = Henry Blofeld
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]
| image = Henry Blofeld.jpg
| image = Henry Blofeld (cropped).jpg
| caption = Blofeld in 2016
| caption = Blofeld in 2016
| country = England
| country = England
Line 63: Line 64:
| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/6/6297/6297.html CricketArchive
| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/6/6297/6297.html CricketArchive
}}
}}
'''Henry Calthorpe Blofeld''', [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (born 23 September 1939)<ref>Blofeld (2013), p.3</ref> nicknamed '''Blowers''' by [[Brian Johnston]], is a retired English sports [[journalist]], [[Sports presenter|broadcaster]] and amateur [[ornithologist]] best known as a [[cricket]] commentator for ''[[Test Match Special]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4]] and [[BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra]]. He has established a reputation as a commentator with an accent, vocabulary and syntax that is quintessentially [[Eton College|Old Etonian]] both in style and substance. He also writes on cricket and has authored eight books to date.<ref name="Books">{{cite web | url=http://www.henryblofeld.co.uk/shop | title=Shop |publisher=Henry Blofeld| accessdate=13 June 2015}}</ref>
'''Henry Calthorpe Blofeld''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}} (born 23 September 1939),<ref>Blofeld (2013), p.3</ref> nicknamed '''Blowers''' by [[Brian Johnston]], is an English retired sports [[journalist]], [[Sports presenter|broadcaster]] and amateur [[ornithologist]] best known as a [[cricket]] commentator for ''[[Test Match Special]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4]] and [[BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra]]. He has established a reputation as a commentator with an accent, vocabulary and syntax that is quintessentially [[Eton College|Old Etonian]] both in style and substance. He also writes on cricket and has authored eight books to date.<ref name="Books">{{cite web | url=http://www.henryblofeld.co.uk/shop | title=Shop |publisher=Henry Blofeld| access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Blofeld's family were landowners at [[Hoveton]] in Norfolk and he was the youngest of three siblings. His elder brother, Sir [[John Blofeld (judge)|John Blofeld]], became a [[High Court judge (England and Wales)|High Court judge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/birthdays-1532461.html|title=Birthdays|work=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> Henry's father (Thomas Robert Calthorpe Blofeld, 1903–1986) was at Eton with [[Ian Fleming]] and his name is believed to have been the inspiration for the name of [[James Bond]] [[supervillain]], [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Ben Macintyre | title = Was Ian Fleming the real 007? | publisher = ''[[The Times]]'' | date =5 April 2008 |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article1736535.ece | location=London|accessdate = 8 April 2008}}{{subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-02-21/why-crickets-henry-blofeld-believes-squeezing-orange-very-last-drop | publisher=[[The World (radio program)]] | accessdate=21 February 2014| title=Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop}}</ref>
Blofeld's family were landowners at [[Hoveton]] in Norfolk and he was the youngest of three siblings. His elder brother, Sir [[John Blofeld (judge)|John Blofeld]], became a [[High Court judge (England and Wales)|High Court judge]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/birthdays-1532461.html|title=Birthdays|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref> Henry's father (Thomas Robert Calthorpe Blofeld, 1903–1986) was at Eton with [[Ian Fleming]] and his name is believed to have been the inspiration for the name of [[James Bond]] [[supervillain]], [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Ben Macintyre | title = Was Ian Fleming the real 007? | newspaper = [[The Times]] | date =5 April 2008 |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article1736535.ece | location=London|access-date = 8 April 2008}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-02-21/why-crickets-henry-blofeld-believes-squeezing-orange-very-last-drop | publisher=[[The World (radio program)]] | access-date=21 February 2014| title=Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop}}</ref>


Blofeld is a distant relative of the Honourable [[Freddie Calthorpe]], a former England Test captain, but, contrary to common belief, he is not Calthorpe's nephew.<ref name=CricketCountry>{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld: Nephew of an England captain?|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/henry-blofeld-nephew-of-an-england-captain-217019|publisher=CricketCountry|accessdate=30 November 2014}}</ref>
Blofeld is a distant relative of the Honourable [[Freddie Calthorpe]], a former England Test captain, but, contrary to common belief, he is not Calthorpe's nephew.<ref name=CricketCountry>{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld: Nephew of an England captain?|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/henry-blofeld-nephew-of-an-england-captain-217019|publisher=CricketCountry|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
Blofeld was educated at [[Sunningdale School]] in [[Berkshire]] and at [[Eton College]], in [[Buckinghamshire]], followed by [[King's College, Cambridge|King's College]] at the [[University of Cambridge]], but failed both his final exams "by an innings".<ref name="never retire">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/3249408/Henry-Blofeld-Ill-never-retire.-Id-drink-myself-to-death.html | title=Henry Blofeld: 'I'll never retire. I'd drink myself to death' | work=Telegraph | date=23 October 2008 | accessdate=13 June 2015 | author=Pettie, Andrew}}</ref>
Blofeld was educated at [[Sunningdale School]] and at [[Eton College]], followed by [[King's College, Cambridge]], but failed both his final exams.<ref name="never retire">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/3249408/Henry-Blofeld-Ill-never-retire.-Id-drink-myself-to-death.html | title=Henry Blofeld: 'I'll never retire. I'd drink myself to death' | work=The Telegraph|location=London | date=23 October 2008 | access-date=13 June 2015 | author=Pettie, Andrew}}</ref>


===School cricket===
===School cricket===
Blofeld played cricket at both Sunningdale and Eton. He was [[wicket-keeper]] for the Eton College First XI<ref name=Williamson>{{cite web|last=Williamson|first=Martin|title=Desperate times... send for Blowers|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/597018.html|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|accessdate=30 December 2012|date=15 December 2012}}</ref> and had an exceptional career as a [[History of English amateur cricket|schoolboy cricket]]er.<ref name=Cricinfo>{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld (Cricinfo profile)|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/9130.html|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|accessdate=30 December 2012}}</ref> In 1956, Blofeld scored 104 not out for a [[Public school (United Kingdom)|Public Schools]] team against the [[Combined Services]],<ref>Blofeld (2001), pp.37–39</ref> and he was given the [[Cricket Society]]'s award for the most promising young player of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketsociety.com/most_promising_yca.html|title=The Cricket Society – Awards|publisher=Cricketsociety.com|accessdate=29 December 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229034726/http://www.cricketsociety.com/most_promising_yca.html|archivedate=29 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Appointed Eton captain in his final year at school, Blofeld suffered a very serious accident, when he was hit by a bus while riding a bicycle,<ref name=Williamson/> remaining unconscious for 28 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/8652101/World-of-Henry-Blofeld-cricket-broadcaster.html|title=World of Henry Blofeld, cricket broadcaster|date=26 July 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="never retire"/>
Blofeld played cricket at both Sunningdale and Eton. He was [[wicket-keeper]] for the Eton College First XI<ref name=Williamson>{{cite web|last=Williamson|first=Martin|title=Desperate times... send for Blowers|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/597018.html|work=ESPNCricinfo|access-date=30 December 2012|date=15 December 2012}}</ref> and had an exceptional career as a [[History of English amateur cricket|schoolboy cricket]]er.<ref name=Cricinfo>{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld (Cricinfo profile)|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/9130.html|work=ESPNCricinfo|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> In 1956, Blofeld scored 104 not out for a [[Public school (United Kingdom)|Public Schools]] team against the [[Combined Services]],<ref>Blofeld (2001), pp. 37–39</ref> and he was given the [[Cricket Society]]'s award for the most promising young player of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketsociety.com/most_promising_yca.html|title=The Cricket Society – Awards|publisher=Cricketsociety.com|access-date=29 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229034726/http://www.cricketsociety.com/most_promising_yca.html|archive-date=29 December 2014}}</ref> Appointed Eton captain in his final year at school, Blofeld suffered a very serious accident, when he was hit by a bus while riding a bicycle,<ref name=Williamson/> remaining unconscious for 28 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/8652101/World-of-Henry-Blofeld-cricket-broadcaster.html|title=World of Henry Blofeld, cricket broadcaster|date=26 July 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="never retire"/>


===First-class cricket at Cambridge===
===First-class cricket at Cambridge===
Although his injuries curtailed his subsequent cricketing career,<ref name=Williamson/> Blofeld did go on to play 16 first-class matches for [[Cambridge University Cricket Club|Cambridge University]] during 1958 and 1959.<ref name=Cricinfo/> The 1958 side was skippered by future England captain [[Ted Dexter]] and his first victim behind the stumps, on his debut for Cambridge against Kent, was also another future England captain, [[Colin Cowdrey]], whom he caught off Dexter's bowling. He was unable to obtain a regular place in the side as a wicket keeper and only played in that position when first choice [[Christopher Howland|Chris Howland]] was unavailable. Of the 16 games that Blofeld played for Cambridge (five in 1958 and 11 in 1959), he kept wicket in only four of them.
Although his injuries curtailed his subsequent cricketing career,<ref name=Williamson/> Blofeld did go on to play 16 first-class matches for [[Cambridge University Cricket Club|Cambridge University]] during 1958 and 1959.<ref name=Cricinfo/> The 1958 side was skippered by future England captain [[Ted Dexter]] and his first victim behind the stumps, on his debut for Cambridge against Kent, was also another future England captain, [[Colin Cowdrey]], whom he caught off Dexter's bowling. He was unable to obtain a regular place in the side as a wicket keeper and only played in that position when first choice [[Christopher Howland|Chris Howland]] was unavailable. Of the 16 games that Blofeld played for Cambridge (five in 1958 and 11 in 1959), he kept wicket in only four of them.


In 1959, Blofeld played in half of the University fixtures, including the [[Varsity Match]] against Oxford,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/23/23635.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|publisher=Cricketarchive.com|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> where he won his [[Blue (university sport)#University of Cambridge|Blue]] "as an opening batsman of sorts... the worst Blue awarded since the war" according to Blofeld himself.<ref name=Williamson/> Fittingly, he made his only first-class century against the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC) at Lord's in July 1959, in his penultimate game for Cambridge. He attended [[King's College, Cambridge]], but left after two years without receiving a degree.
In 1959, Blofeld played in half of the university fixtures, including the [[Varsity Match]] against Oxford,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/23/23635.html|title=Cambridge University v Oxford University|website=Cricketarchive.com|access-date=29 December 2014}} {{subscription required|date=May 2020}}</ref> where he won his [[Cambridge Blue|Blue]] "as an opening batsman of sorts... the worst Blue awarded since the war" according to Blofeld himself.<ref name=Williamson/> Fittingly, he made his only first-class century against the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC) at Lord's in July 1959, in his penultimate game for Cambridge. He attended [[King's College, Cambridge]], but left after two years without receiving a degree.


In his only match for [[Free Foresters]], against Cambridge University in 1960, Blofeld kept wicket. His last first-class victim was Howland, captaining Cambridge that year. He played one [[Gillette Cup (England)|Gillette Cup]] match for a [[Minor Counties|minor county]], [[Norfolk County Cricket Club|Norfolk]] against Hampshire in 1965 under the captaincy of [[Bill Edrich]], who was 49 years old at the time. Playing as an opening batsman, Blofeld top scored for his side with 60.<ref>[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] 1966, p. 644.</ref>
In his only match for [[Free Foresters]], against Cambridge University in 1960, Blofeld kept wicket. His last first-class victim was Howland, captaining Cambridge that year. He played one [[Gillette Cup (England)|Gillette Cup]] match for a [[Minor Counties|minor county]], [[Norfolk County Cricket Club|Norfolk]] against Hampshire in 1965 under the captaincy of [[Bill Edrich]], who was 49 years old at the time. Playing as an opening batsman, Blofeld top scored for his side with 60.<ref>[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] 1966, p. 644.</ref>
Line 85: Line 86:
==Life and career==
==Life and career==
===Sports journalism===
===Sports journalism===
Blofeld took a job at the [[merchant bank]] [[Robert Benson Lonsdale]]<ref>Blofeld (2001), p.50</ref> for three years, but it was not to his taste and he drifted into sports journalism.<ref name=Noelle/> He reported on the [[English cricket team in India in 1963–64|England tour to India in 1963/4]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'', and was close to being picked as an emergency batsman to replace the ill [[Micky Stewart]] for the 2nd Test in [[Bombay]]. When he was told by [[David Clark (cricketer)|David Clark]], the tour manager, that he might have to play, Blofeld replied "I would certainly play if needed, but if I scored 50 or upwards in either innings I was damned if I would stand down for the Calcutta Test".<ref name=Williamson/> On the day of the Test Stewart discharged himself from hospital and played despite his illness. After tea on the first day, Stewart was rushed back to hospital and played no further part in the tour.<ref name=Williamson/> Blofeld continued as a print journalist until 1972 when he joined the ''Test Match Special'' team. He had also previously commentated for [[ITV Network|ITV]] in the 1960s.
Blofeld took a job at the [[merchant bank]] [[Robert Benson Lonsdale]]<ref>Blofeld (2001), p. 50</ref> for three years, but it was not to his taste and he drifted into sports journalism.<ref name=Noelle/> He reported on the [[English cricket team in India in 1963–64|England tour to India in 1963–4]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'', and was close to being picked as an emergency batsman to replace the ill [[Micky Stewart]] for the 2nd Test in [[Bombay]]. When he was told by [[David Clark (cricketer)|David Clark]], the tour manager, that he might have to play, Blofeld replied "I would certainly play if needed, but if I scored 50 or upwards in either innings I was damned if I would stand down for the Calcutta Test".<ref name=Williamson/> On the day of the Test Stewart discharged himself from hospital and played despite his illness. After tea on the first day, Stewart was rushed back to hospital and played no further part in the tour.<ref name=Williamson/> Blofeld continued as a print journalist until 1972 when he joined the ''Test Match Special'' team. He had also previously commentated for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in the 1960s.


===''Test Match Special''===
===''Test Match Special''===
Blofeld has been a regular commentator for ''[[Test Match Special|TMS]]'' since 1972, except for a period at [[British Sky Broadcasting|BSkyB]] from 1991 to 1994.<ref>Blofeld (2013), p.231</ref> Blofeld's cricket commentary is characterised by his plummy voice and his idiosyncratic mention of superfluous details regarding the scene, including things such as construction cranes or numbers of pink shirts in the crowd; as well as pigeons, buses, aeroplanes and helicopters that happen to be passing by.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/294306.html |title=Good morning and welcome |author=Martin Williamson |publisher=Cricinfo.com |date=17 May 2007}} Retrieved on 1 November 2008.</ref> After the tea and lunch breaks he is also known to talk for extended periods of time about the food on offer, in particular cakes, with occasional interruptions to describe the situation on the field. He also uses the phrase "my dear old thing".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/23/henry-blofeld-retire-bbc-radio-cricket-commentary-tms | last=Marks | first=Vic | title=Pigeons, buses and mixing up fielders: TMS will miss Henry Blofeld | publisher=[[The Guardian]] | date=23 June 2017 }}</ref>
Blofeld was a regular commentator for ''[[Test Match Special|TMS]]'' from 1972 to 2017, except for a period at [[British Sky Broadcasting|BSkyB]] from 1991 to 1994.<ref>Blofeld (2013), p.231</ref> Blofeld's cricket commentary was characterised by his plummy voice and his idiosyncratic mention of superfluous details regarding the scene, including things such as construction cranes or numbers of pink shirts in the crowd; as well as pigeons, buses, aeroplanes and helicopters that happened to be passing by.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/294306.html |title=Good morning and welcome |author=Martin Williamson |publisher=Cricinfo.com |date=17 May 2007}} Retrieved on 1 November 2008.</ref> After the tea and lunch breaks he was also known to talk for extended periods of time about the food on offer, in particular cakes, with occasional interruptions to describe the situation on the field. He also used the phrase "my dear old thing".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/23/henry-blofeld-retire-bbc-radio-cricket-commentary-tms | last=Marks | first=Vic | title=Pigeons, buses and mixing up fielders: TMS will miss Henry Blofeld | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=23 June 2017 }}</ref>


⚫
In 1995, Blofeld was censured for an allegedly [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] comment made live on-air on ''Test Match Special'', when broadcasting from [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]]. He referred to onlookers watching a match from the balcony of a tall building outside the ground at Headingley as being at "the Jewish end". Blofeld and the BBC apologised for a comment that was "not spawned by malice".<ref name="Head">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article1026799.ece |title=TLS – Times Literary Supplement |website=[[The Times]] |access-date=2020-05-21}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
⚫
Since 2006 he has commentated less frequently, missing the [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 World Cup]], despite having covered the opening ceremonies of the two preceding World Cups [[2003 Cricket World Cup|in 2003]] and [[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999]] for ''TMS''. Speaking to [[Michael Parkinson]] about this on BBC Radio 2 on 26 August 2007, he responded to the question of why he was commentating less these days, by remarking that "they obviously want to bring in new faces" adding that during the Ashes series during 2006–7 "I felt in a funny way that I wasn't part of it any more". During the summer 2008 season, he resumed a full commentating quota on Tests and ODIs.


⚫
From 2006 he commentated less frequently, missing the [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 World Cup]], despite having covered the opening ceremonies of the two preceding World Cups [[2003 Cricket World Cup|in 2003]] and [[1999 Cricket World Cup|1999]] for ''TMS''. Speaking to [[Michael Parkinson]] about this on BBC Radio 2 on 26 August 2007, he responded to the question of why he was commentating less these days, by remarking that "they obviously want to bring in new faces" adding that during the Ashes series during 2006–7 "I felt in a funny way that I wasn't part of it any more". During the summer 2008 season, he resumed a full commentating quota on Tests and ODIs.
⚫
Blofeld missed the 2009 home test series against South Africa but returned for the 2010 home series against Pakistan. He did not cover the Ashes series in Australia during 2010–11 but returned for the Indian tour of England in Summer 2011. In January 2012, he rejoined the ''TMS'' team covering England's tour of the [[United Arab Emirates]] against [[Pakistani cricket team|Pakistan]] and also the autumn 2012 England tour of India.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}


⚫
Blofeld missed the 2009 home test series against South Africa but returned for the 2010 home series against Pakistan. He did not cover the Ashes series in Australia during 2010–11 but returned for the Indian tour of England in Summer 2011. In January 2012, he rejoined the ''TMS'' team covering England's tour of the [[United Arab Emirates]] against [[Pakistani cricket team|Pakistan]] and also the autumn 2012 England tour of India.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}
⚫
In 1995, Blofeld was censured for an [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] comment made live on-air on ''Test Match Special'', when broadcasting from [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]]: <blockquote>He referred to onlookers watching a match from the balcony of a tall building outside the ground at Headingley as being at "the Jewish end"<ref name="Head">http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article1026799.ece</ref></blockquote> Blofeld and the BBC apologised for a comment that was "not spawned by malice".<ref name="Head"/><br />


On 23 June 2017, Blofeld announced his retirement as a BBC ''Test Match Special'' commentator. His last test commentary was when England played West Indies at Lord's on 9 September 2017.<ref name="Blofeld Retirement">{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld: Test Match Special commentator calls time on career|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40378783|publisher= BBC|accessdate=23 June 2017|date=23 June 2017}}</ref> He was given a standing ovation on a lap of the ground following the match.
On 23 June 2017, Blofeld announced his retirement as a BBC ''Test Match Special'' commentator. His last test commentary was when England played West Indies at Lord's on 9 September 2017.<ref name="Blofeld Retirement">{{cite web|title=Henry Blofeld: Test Match Special commentator calls time on career|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40378783|publisher= BBC|access-date=23 June 2017|date=23 June 2017}}</ref> He was given a standing ovation on a lap of the ground following the match.


===Outside sport===
===Outside sport===
Blofeld was awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] for services to broadcasting in 2003. The following year, he appeared alongside [[Fred Trueman]] in the "[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Tertiary to Quintessential Phases#The Tertiary Phase|Tertiary Phase]]" of the ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' radio series playing himself. Blofeld has written a partly autobiographical book entitled ''My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket''. He undertakes an "Evening With Blowers" theatrical show which has toured all over the UK, as well as many other public speaking engagements. Together with TMS producer [[Peter Baxter (radio producer)|Peter Baxter]] he tours with the theatrical show ''Memories of Test Match Special'' from 2013 on.<ref name=Noelle/><ref name="Memories">{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047wfmf | title=Blofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Special, Episode 1 | work=BBC Radio 4 | accessdate=13 June 2015}}</ref> His fourth book was entitled ''Squeezing the Orange''.<ref name="Amazon"/>
Blofeld was awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] for services to broadcasting in 2003. The following year, he appeared alongside [[Fred Trueman]] in the "[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Tertiary to Quintessential Phases#The Tertiary Phase|Tertiary Phase]]" of the ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' radio series playing himself. Blofeld has written a partly autobiographical book entitled ''My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket''. He undertakes an "Evening With Blowers" theatrical show which has toured all over the UK, as well as many other public speaking engagements. Together with TMS producer [[Peter Baxter (radio producer)|Peter Baxter]] he tours with the theatrical show ''Memories of Test Match Special'' from 2013 on.<ref name=Noelle/><ref name="Memories">{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047wfmf | title=Blofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Special, Episode 1 | publisher=BBC Radio 4 | access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> His fourth book was entitled ''Squeezing the Orange''.<ref name="Amazon"/>


In November 2003, Blofeld was the castaway on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' with his favourite selection being the classic [[Brian Johnston]] and [[Jonathan Agnew]] ''TMS'' exchange "Getting your leg over".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/26b37783#p009375w|title=BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Henry Blofeld|work=BBC|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>
In November 2003, Blofeld was the castaway on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' with his favourite selection being the classic [[Brian Johnston]] and [[Jonathan Agnew]] ''TMS'' exchange "Getting your leg over".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/26b37783#p009375w|title=BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Henry Blofeld|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref>


Outside cricket, Blofeld's favourite hobby is "drinking wine", followed by "eating food" and "going out." He has his own [[Côtes du Rhône AOC|Côtes du Rhône]] label which he markets as ''Blowers' Rhône'' and unashamedly promotes this during his one-man theatrical chat shows ''An Evening With Blowers'', that he mainly performs during the cricket close season.<ref name="Evening with Blowers">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/An-Evening-With-Blowers-DVD/dp/B001C4OSLU/ref=pd_cp_b_3|title=An Evening with Blowers|date=1 September 2008|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> The show has been recorded on DVD<ref>{{imdb title|2530734| An Evening with Blowers: Henry Blofeld, the Voice of Cricket, Live (2008)}}</ref><ref name="Evening with Blowers"/> and CD.<ref>{{itunes|nz/audiobook/evening-blowers-original-staging/id165126226|An Evening With Blowers (Original Staging Nonfiction)}}</ref> He often wears vividly coloured outfits, which he ascribes to partial colour blindness.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-life-in-the-day-henry-blofeld-6vkjmr7c7v9 | title=A life in the day: Henry Blofeld | last=Johnson | first=Richard | publisher=[[The Times]] | date=23 May 2004 }}</ref>
Outside cricket, Blofeld's favourite hobby is "drinking wine", followed by "eating food" and "going out." He has his own [[Côtes du Rhône AOC|Côtes du Rhône]] label which he markets as ''Blowers' Rhône'' and unashamedly promotes this during his one-man theatrical chat shows ''An Evening With Blowers'', that he mainly performs during the cricket close season.<ref name="Evening with Blowers">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/An-Evening-With-Blowers-DVD/dp/B001C4OSLU/ref=pd_cp_b_3|title=An Evening with Blowers|website=Amazon UK |date=1 September 2008|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref> The show has been recorded on DVD<ref>{{IMDb title|2530734| An Evening with Blowers: Henry Blofeld, the Voice of Cricket, Live (2008)}}</ref><ref name="Evening with Blowers"/> and CD.<ref>{{itunes|nz/audiobook/evening-blowers-original-staging/id165126226|An Evening With Blowers (Original Staging Nonfiction)}}</ref> He often wears vividly coloured outfits, which he ascribes to partial colour blindness.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-life-in-the-day-henry-blofeld-6vkjmr7c7v9 | title=A life in the day: Henry Blofeld | last=Johnson | first=Richard | newspaper=[[The Times]] | date=23 May 2004 }}</ref>


Blofeld celebrated his 70th birthday by hosting an evening show in front of 2000 paying "guests" at the [[Royal Albert Hall]], with appearances on stage by friends such as ''TMS'' commentator Jonathan Agnew, who narrated the event live, West Indian commentator [[Tony Cozier]], TV personality [[Stephen Fry]], cricket journalist [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|John Woodcock]], TV celebrity [[Christine Hamilton]] and his elder brother, former High Court Judge Sir [[John Blofeld (judge)|John Blofeld]].<ref>Blofeld (2013), pp.293–4</ref>
Blofeld celebrated his 70th birthday by hosting an evening show in front of 2000 paying "guests" at the [[Royal Albert Hall]], with appearances on stage by friends such as ''TMS'' commentator Jonathan Agnew, who narrated the event live, West Indian commentator [[Tony Cozier]], TV personality [[Stephen Fry]], cricket journalist [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|John Woodcock]], TV celebrity [[Christine Hamilton]] and his elder brother, former High Court Judge Sir [[John Blofeld (judge)|John Blofeld]].<ref>Blofeld (2013), pp. 293–4</ref>


In January 2015 Blofeld was a guest, and the winner, on the [[BBC One]]'s comedy series ''[[Room 101 (TV series)|Room 101]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b050cx8k|title=Episode 4, Series 4, Room 101 – BBC One|website=BBC|accessdate=18 December 2017}}</ref> In December 2017 he was a guest on the BBC One comedy panel show ''[[Would I Lie to You? (TV series)|Would I Lie to You?]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09jxn2z/would-i-lie-to-you-series-11-at-christmas|title=Would I Lie to You? – Series 11: At Christmas|publisher=|accessdate=18 December 2017|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
In January 2015 Blofeld was a guest, and the winner, on the [[BBC One]]'s comedy series ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b050cx8k|title=Episode 4, Series 4, Room 101 – BBC One|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref> In December 2017 he was a guest on the BBC One comedy panel show ''[[Would I Lie to You? (British game show)|Would I Lie to You?]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09jxn2z/would-i-lie-to-you-series-11-at-christmas|title=Would I Lie to You? – Series 11: At Christmas|access-date=18 December 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref> He was one of the travellers in series 4 of the [[Twofour]] production ''[[The Real Marigold Hotel]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC: The Real Marigold Hotel|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fpbkd|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Blofeld has been married three times and divorced twice. He has a daughter, Suki (born 1964), with his first wife. He separated from his Swedish second wife, Bitten, in 2007. He had a [[double heart bypass operation]] in 1999 after being diagnosed with [[angina]] and was given the [[last rites]] after he nearly died in intensive care following the operation. Blofeld lives in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]].<ref name="love"/>
Blofeld has been married three times and divorced twice. He has a daughter, Suki (born 1964), with his first wife. He separated from his Swedish second wife, Bitten, in 2007. He had a [[double heart bypass operation]] in 1999 after being diagnosed with [[angina]] and was given the [[last rites]] after he nearly died in intensive care following the operation. Blofeld lived in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] for many years, but moved to [[Menorca]] in 2018.<ref name="love"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/violent-london-loses-its-charm-for-henry-blofeld-g27fcljxl | title='Violent' London loses its charm for Henry Blofeld | work=[[The Times]] | date=31 August 2018 | access-date=20 July 2023 | author=Moore, Matthew}}</ref>


In a Boxing Day 2013 interview on the [[Radio New Zealand]] ''Summer Noelle'' programme, Blofeld said he had recently married an Italian woman, Valeria.<ref name=Noelle>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/summernoelle/audio/2581153/cricket-commentator-henry-blofeld|title=Cricket commentator – Henry Blofeld|work=Summer Noelle|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand National]]|accessdate=13 June 2015|date=26 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Henry Blofeld|title=Squeezing the Orange|page=349|publisher=Harper Collins|isbn=978-0-00-750640-8}}</ref><ref name="love">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/news/10481009/Henry-Blofeld-at-last-love-has-bowled-me-over.html | title=Henry Blofeld: at last, love has bowled me over | work=[[Daily Telegraph]] | date=28 Nov 2013 | accessdate=13 June 2015 | author=Grice, Elizabeth}}</ref> {{as of|2013}} his main occupation is on stage at the theatre; he commentates on six or seven test matches annually.<ref name=Noelle/>
In a [[Boxing Day]] 2013 interview on the [[Radio New Zealand]] ''Summer Noelle'' programme, Blofeld said he had recently married an Italian woman, Valeria.<ref name=Noelle>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/summernoelle/audio/2581153/cricket-commentator-henry-blofeld|title=Cricket commentator – Henry Blofeld|work=Summer Noelle|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand National]]|access-date=13 June 2015|date=26 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Henry Blofeld|title=Squeezing the Orange|date=22 May 2014 |page=349|publisher=Harper Collins|isbn=978-0-00-750640-8}}</ref><ref name="love">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/news/10481009/Henry-Blofeld-at-last-love-has-bowled-me-over.html | title=Henry Blofeld: at last, love has bowled me over | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=28 November 2013 | access-date=13 June 2015 | author=Grice, Elizabeth}}</ref> {{as of|2013}} his main occupation was on stage at the theatre.<ref name=Noelle/>


Blofeld published an autobiography, ''Squeezing the Orange'', in 2013.<ref name="Amazon">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Squeezing-Orange-Henry-Blofeld/dp/0007506392|title=Squeezing the Orange|author=Henry Blofeld|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> The book recounts his personal and professional life, including encounters with various celebrities and politicians, and a forty-six-day road trip from [[London]] to [[Bombay]] in a vintage [[List of Rolls-Royce motor cars|Rolls-Royce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-02-21/why-crickets-henry-blofeld-believes-squeezing-orange-very-last-drop|title=Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop|work=[[Public Radio International]]|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> In 2017 he published ''Over and Out'', a recollection of his years spent with the Test Match Special team.
Blofeld published an [[autobiography]], ''Squeezing the Orange'', in 2013.<ref name="Amazon">{{cite book|title=Squeezing the Orange|author=Henry Blofeld|id={{ASIN|0007506392|country=uk}} }}</ref> The book recounts his personal and professional life, including encounters with various celebrities and politicians, and a 46-day road trip from [[London]] to [[Bombay]] in a vintage [[List of Rolls-Royce motor cars|Rolls-Royce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-02-21/why-crickets-henry-blofeld-believes-squeezing-orange-very-last-drop|title=Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop|work=[[Public Radio International]]|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref> In 2017 he published ''Over and Out'', a recollection of his years spent with the ''Test Match Special'' team.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Published books==
*''Cricket in Three Moods: Eighteen Months of Test Cricket and the Ways of Life Behind it'', The Sportsmans Book Club, 1971
*Blofeld, Henry, ''My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket'', 1988 ({{ISBN|0-09-173704-4}})
*Blofeld, Henry, ''A Thirst for Life'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2001 ({{ISBN|0-340-77050-3}})
*''The Packer Affair'', Collins, 1978 ({{ISBN|978-0002166546}})
*''One Test After Another: Life in International Cricket'', Stanly Paul, 1985 ({{ISBN|0-09-162290-5}})
⚫
*Blofeld, Henry, ''Cricket and All That'', Coronet, 2001 ({{ISBN|978-0340819746}})
*Blofeld, Henry, ''Squeezing the Orange'', Harper Collins, 2013 ({{ISBN|978-0-00-750640-8}})
*''My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket'', Stanley Paul, 1988 ({{ISBN|0-09-173704-4}})
*Blofeld, Henry, ''Over and Out: My Innings of a Lifetime with Test Match Special'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2017 ({{ISBN|978-1473670914}})
*''A Thirst for Life'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2001 ({{ISBN|0-340-77050-3}})
⚫
*''Cricket and All That'', Coronet, 2001 ({{ISBN|978-0340819746}})
*''Cricket's Great Entertainers'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2003 ({{ISBN|978-0340827284}})
*''Squeezing the Orange'', Harper Collins, 2013 ({{ISBN|978-0-00-750640-8}})
*''Cricket on Three Continents'', Wymer, 2015 ({{ISBN|978-1908724342}})
*''The Man who Coloured Cricket'', Wymer, 2015
*''Blowers, Bubbles & Balls'', Wymer, 2016 ({{ISBN|978-1908724434}})
*''Over and Out: My Innings of a Lifetime with Test Match Special'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2017 ({{ISBN|978-1473670914}})
*''My A-Z of Cricket: A Personal Celebration of Our Glorious Game'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2019
*''Ten to Win . . . And the Last Man In: My Pick of Test Match Cliffhangers'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2022 ({{ISBN|978-1529359954}})
*''Sharing My Love of Cricket: Playing the Game and Spreading the Word'', Hodder & Stoughton, 2024 ({{ISBN|978-1399733250}})


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official|http://www.henryblofeld.co.uk/}}
*{{cricinfo|id=9130}}
*{{cricinfo|id=9130}}
*{{CricketArchive|id=6297}}
* {{IMDb name|1304249}}
* {{imdb name|1304249}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 151: Line 160:
[[Category:English male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:English male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Norfolk]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Norfolk]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Norfolk]]

Latest revision as of 21:46, 4 October 2024

Henry Blofeld

OBE
Blofeld in 2016
Personal information
Full name
Henry Calthorpe Blofeld
Born (1939-09-23) 23 September 1939 (age 85)
Hoveton Home Farm, Hoveton, Norfolk, England
NicknameBlowers, Tycoon, Typhoon
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper, commentator
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1958–1959Cambridge University
1956–1965Norfolk
First-class debut7 May 1958 Cambridge University v Kent
Last First-class11 June 1960 Free Foresters v Cambridge University
Only List A1 May 1965 Norfolk v Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition First-class List A
Matches 17 1
Runs scored 758 60
Batting average 24.45 60.00
100s/50s 1/2 0/1
Top score 138 60
Balls bowled 18 0
Wickets – –
Bowling average – –
5 wickets in innings – –
10 wickets in match – –
Best bowling – –
Catches/stumpings 11/0 0/0
Source: CricketArchive, 14 May 2008

Henry Calthorpe Blofeld OBE (born 23 September 1939),[1] nicknamed Blowers by Brian Johnston, is an English retired sports journalist, broadcaster and amateur ornithologist best known as a cricket commentator for Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. He has established a reputation as a commentator with an accent, vocabulary and syntax that is quintessentially Old Etonian both in style and substance. He also writes on cricket and has authored eight books to date.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Blofeld's family were landowners at Hoveton in Norfolk and he was the youngest of three siblings. His elder brother, Sir John Blofeld, became a High Court judge.[3] Henry's father (Thomas Robert Calthorpe Blofeld, 1903–1986) was at Eton with Ian Fleming and his name is believed to have been the inspiration for the name of James Bond supervillain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.[4][5]

Blofeld is a distant relative of the Honourable Freddie Calthorpe, a former England Test captain, but, contrary to common belief, he is not Calthorpe's nephew.[6]

Education

[edit]

Blofeld was educated at Sunningdale School and at Eton College, followed by King's College, Cambridge, but failed both his final exams.[7]

School cricket

[edit]

Blofeld played cricket at both Sunningdale and Eton. He was wicket-keeper for the Eton College First XI[8] and had an exceptional career as a schoolboy cricketer.[9] In 1956, Blofeld scored 104 not out for a Public Schools team against the Combined Services,[10] and he was given the Cricket Society's award for the most promising young player of the season.[11] Appointed Eton captain in his final year at school, Blofeld suffered a very serious accident, when he was hit by a bus while riding a bicycle,[8] remaining unconscious for 28 days.[12][7]

First-class cricket at Cambridge

[edit]

Although his injuries curtailed his subsequent cricketing career,[8] Blofeld did go on to play 16 first-class matches for Cambridge University during 1958 and 1959.[9] The 1958 side was skippered by future England captain Ted Dexter and his first victim behind the stumps, on his debut for Cambridge against Kent, was also another future England captain, Colin Cowdrey, whom he caught off Dexter's bowling. He was unable to obtain a regular place in the side as a wicket keeper and only played in that position when first choice Chris Howland was unavailable. Of the 16 games that Blofeld played for Cambridge (five in 1958 and 11 in 1959), he kept wicket in only four of them.

In 1959, Blofeld played in half of the university fixtures, including the Varsity Match against Oxford,[13] where he won his Blue "as an opening batsman of sorts... the worst Blue awarded since the war" according to Blofeld himself.[8] Fittingly, he made his only first-class century against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord's in July 1959, in his penultimate game for Cambridge. He attended King's College, Cambridge, but left after two years without receiving a degree.

In his only match for Free Foresters, against Cambridge University in 1960, Blofeld kept wicket. His last first-class victim was Howland, captaining Cambridge that year. He played one Gillette Cup match for a minor county, Norfolk against Hampshire in 1965 under the captaincy of Bill Edrich, who was 49 years old at the time. Playing as an opening batsman, Blofeld top scored for his side with 60.[14]

Life and career

[edit]

Sports journalism

[edit]

Blofeld took a job at the merchant bank Robert Benson Lonsdale[15] for three years, but it was not to his taste and he drifted into sports journalism.[16] He reported on the England tour to India in 1963–4 for The Guardian, and was close to being picked as an emergency batsman to replace the ill Micky Stewart for the 2nd Test in Bombay. When he was told by David Clark, the tour manager, that he might have to play, Blofeld replied "I would certainly play if needed, but if I scored 50 or upwards in either innings I was damned if I would stand down for the Calcutta Test".[8] On the day of the Test Stewart discharged himself from hospital and played despite his illness. After tea on the first day, Stewart was rushed back to hospital and played no further part in the tour.[8] Blofeld continued as a print journalist until 1972 when he joined the Test Match Special team. He had also previously commentated for ITV in the 1960s.

Test Match Special

[edit]

Blofeld was a regular commentator for TMS from 1972 to 2017, except for a period at BSkyB from 1991 to 1994.[17] Blofeld's cricket commentary was characterised by his plummy voice and his idiosyncratic mention of superfluous details regarding the scene, including things such as construction cranes or numbers of pink shirts in the crowd; as well as pigeons, buses, aeroplanes and helicopters that happened to be passing by.[18] After the tea and lunch breaks he was also known to talk for extended periods of time about the food on offer, in particular cakes, with occasional interruptions to describe the situation on the field. He also used the phrase "my dear old thing".[19]

In 1995, Blofeld was censured for an allegedly antisemitic comment made live on-air on Test Match Special, when broadcasting from Headingley. He referred to onlookers watching a match from the balcony of a tall building outside the ground at Headingley as being at "the Jewish end". Blofeld and the BBC apologised for a comment that was "not spawned by malice".[20]

From 2006 he commentated less frequently, missing the 2007 World Cup, despite having covered the opening ceremonies of the two preceding World Cups in 2003 and 1999 for TMS. Speaking to Michael Parkinson about this on BBC Radio 2 on 26 August 2007, he responded to the question of why he was commentating less these days, by remarking that "they obviously want to bring in new faces" adding that during the Ashes series during 2006–7 "I felt in a funny way that I wasn't part of it any more". During the summer 2008 season, he resumed a full commentating quota on Tests and ODIs.

Blofeld missed the 2009 home test series against South Africa but returned for the 2010 home series against Pakistan. He did not cover the Ashes series in Australia during 2010–11 but returned for the Indian tour of England in Summer 2011. In January 2012, he rejoined the TMS team covering England's tour of the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan and also the autumn 2012 England tour of India.[citation needed]

On 23 June 2017, Blofeld announced his retirement as a BBC Test Match Special commentator. His last test commentary was when England played West Indies at Lord's on 9 September 2017.[21] He was given a standing ovation on a lap of the ground following the match.

Outside sport

[edit]

Blofeld was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2003. The following year, he appeared alongside Fred Trueman in the "Tertiary Phase" of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio series playing himself. Blofeld has written a partly autobiographical book entitled My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket. He undertakes an "Evening With Blowers" theatrical show which has toured all over the UK, as well as many other public speaking engagements. Together with TMS producer Peter Baxter he tours with the theatrical show Memories of Test Match Special from 2013 on.[16][22] His fourth book was entitled Squeezing the Orange.[23]

In November 2003, Blofeld was the castaway on Desert Island Discs with his favourite selection being the classic Brian Johnston and Jonathan Agnew TMS exchange "Getting your leg over".[24]

Outside cricket, Blofeld's favourite hobby is "drinking wine", followed by "eating food" and "going out." He has his own Côtes du Rhône label which he markets as Blowers' Rhône and unashamedly promotes this during his one-man theatrical chat shows An Evening With Blowers, that he mainly performs during the cricket close season.[25] The show has been recorded on DVD[26][25] and CD.[27] He often wears vividly coloured outfits, which he ascribes to partial colour blindness.[28]

Blofeld celebrated his 70th birthday by hosting an evening show in front of 2000 paying "guests" at the Royal Albert Hall, with appearances on stage by friends such as TMS commentator Jonathan Agnew, who narrated the event live, West Indian commentator Tony Cozier, TV personality Stephen Fry, cricket journalist John Woodcock, TV celebrity Christine Hamilton and his elder brother, former High Court Judge Sir John Blofeld.[29]

In January 2015 Blofeld was a guest, and the winner, on the BBC One's comedy series Room 101.[30] In December 2017 he was a guest on the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?[31] He was one of the travellers in series 4 of the Twofour production The Real Marigold Hotel.[32]

Personal life

[edit]

Blofeld has been married three times and divorced twice. He has a daughter, Suki (born 1964), with his first wife. He separated from his Swedish second wife, Bitten, in 2007. He had a double heart bypass operation in 1999 after being diagnosed with angina and was given the last rites after he nearly died in intensive care following the operation. Blofeld lived in Chelsea for many years, but moved to Menorca in 2018.[33][34]

In a Boxing Day 2013 interview on the Radio New Zealand Summer Noelle programme, Blofeld said he had recently married an Italian woman, Valeria.[16][35][33] As of 2013 his main occupation was on stage at the theatre.[16]

Blofeld published an autobiography, Squeezing the Orange, in 2013.[23] The book recounts his personal and professional life, including encounters with various celebrities and politicians, and a 46-day road trip from London to Bombay in a vintage Rolls-Royce.[36] In 2017 he published Over and Out, a recollection of his years spent with the Test Match Special team.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blofeld (2013), p.3
  2. ^ "Shop". Henry Blofeld. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Birthdays". The Independent. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  4. ^ Ben Macintyre (5 April 2008). "Was Ian Fleming the real 007?". The Times. London. Retrieved 8 April 2008.(subscription required)
  5. ^ "Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop". The World (radio program). Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Henry Blofeld: Nephew of an England captain?". CricketCountry. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b Pettie, Andrew (23 October 2008). "Henry Blofeld: 'I'll never retire. I'd drink myself to death'". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Williamson, Martin (15 December 2012). "Desperate times... send for Blowers". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Henry Blofeld (Cricinfo profile)". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  10. ^ Blofeld (2001), pp. 37–39
  11. ^ "The Cricket Society – Awards". Cricketsociety.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  12. ^ "World of Henry Blofeld, cricket broadcaster". Telegraph.co.uk. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Cambridge University v Oxford University". Cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 29 December 2014. (subscription required)
  14. ^ Wisden 1966, p. 644.
  15. ^ Blofeld (2001), p. 50
  16. ^ a b c d "Cricket commentator – Henry Blofeld". Summer Noelle. Radio New Zealand National. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  17. ^ Blofeld (2013), p.231
  18. ^ Martin Williamson (17 May 2007). "Good morning and welcome". Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 November 2008.
  19. ^ Marks, Vic (23 June 2017). "Pigeons, buses and mixing up fielders: TMS will miss Henry Blofeld". The Guardian.
  20. ^ "TLS – Times Literary Supplement". The Times. Retrieved 21 May 2020.[dead link‍]
  21. ^ "Henry Blofeld: Test Match Special commentator calls time on career". BBC. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Blofeld and Baxter: Memories of Test Match Special, Episode 1". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  23. ^ a b Henry Blofeld. Squeezing the Orange. ASIN 0007506392.
  24. ^ "BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Henry Blofeld". BBC. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  25. ^ a b "An Evening with Blowers". Amazon UK. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  26. ^ An Evening with Blowers: Henry Blofeld, the Voice of Cricket, Live (2008) at IMDb
  27. ^ An Evening With Blowers (Original Staging Nonfiction) on iTunes
  28. ^ Johnson, Richard (23 May 2004). "A life in the day: Henry Blofeld". The Times.
  29. ^ Blofeld (2013), pp. 293–4
  30. ^ "Episode 4, Series 4, Room 101 – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Would I Lie to You? – Series 11: At Christmas". BBC. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  32. ^ "BBC: The Real Marigold Hotel". Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  33. ^ a b Grice, Elizabeth (28 November 2013). "Henry Blofeld: at last, love has bowled me over". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  34. ^ Moore, Matthew (31 August 2018). "'Violent' London loses its charm for Henry Blofeld". The Times. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  35. ^ Henry Blofeld (22 May 2014). Squeezing the Orange. Harper Collins. p. 349. ISBN 978-0-00-750640-8.
  36. ^ "Why cricket's Henry Blofeld believes in 'squeezing the orange' to the very last drop". Public Radio International. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

Published books

[edit]
  • Cricket in Three Moods: Eighteen Months of Test Cricket and the Ways of Life Behind it, The Sportsmans Book Club, 1971
  • The Packer Affair, Collins, 1978 (ISBN 978-0002166546)
  • One Test After Another: Life in International Cricket, Stanly Paul, 1985 (ISBN 0-09-162290-5)
  • My Dear Old Thing: Talking Cricket, Stanley Paul, 1988 (ISBN 0-09-173704-4)
  • A Thirst for Life, Hodder & Stoughton, 2001 (ISBN 0-340-77050-3)
  • Cricket and All That, Coronet, 2001 (ISBN 978-0340819746)
  • Cricket's Great Entertainers, Hodder & Stoughton, 2003 (ISBN 978-0340827284)
  • Squeezing the Orange, Harper Collins, 2013 (ISBN 978-0-00-750640-8)
  • Cricket on Three Continents, Wymer, 2015 (ISBN 978-1908724342)
  • The Man who Coloured Cricket, Wymer, 2015
  • Blowers, Bubbles & Balls, Wymer, 2016 (ISBN 978-1908724434)
  • Over and Out: My Innings of a Lifetime with Test Match Special, Hodder & Stoughton, 2017 (ISBN 978-1473670914)
  • My A-Z of Cricket: A Personal Celebration of Our Glorious Game, Hodder & Stoughton, 2019
  • Ten to Win . . . And the Last Man In: My Pick of Test Match Cliffhangers, Hodder & Stoughton, 2022 (ISBN 978-1529359954)
  • Sharing My Love of Cricket: Playing the Game and Spreading the Word, Hodder & Stoughton, 2024 (ISBN 978-1399733250)
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Henry_Blofeld&oldid=1249431712"